LT Outbreak in SE TN?

[Pathfinders]

Has anyone heard anything about an outbreak of LT in south eastern Tenn? I saw it posted on a Yahoo list, but thought I'd ask here.

Laura

[robin416]

The outbreak was earlier in the year. The origin is believed to have been from a commercial poultry business, at least that's what TN Ag believed when they were attempting trace back. They found it in the flocks there and tested any other flocks they could find within a certain radius.

[Blackorps]

There is a modified live vaccine by Schering-Plouth LT-IVAX. Fowl Laryngotracheitis Vaccine, Modified Live Virus.
Anyone use this in their flocks? The say use eye drop method, I also heard of it being used a drop in the nostral, a much easier way of administering the vaccine. The best part it is a Unique tissue culture origin vaccine and Does not spread bird-to-bird.

[robin416]

Unless I misunderstood what the state vet told me, that is the same vaccine the poultry house used. He stated that the modified live can create carriers.

[Pathfinders]

http://www.wattpoultry.com/EggIndustry/Article.aspx?id=20574

Says:

It is apparent that a newly introduced fowlpox-vectored recombinant ILT vaccine may provide uneven protection due to the presence of antibodies against the vector virus.

It is possible that a new HVT-vectored recombinant ILT vaccine will become available to the industry. This product has been registered for in-ovo and subcutaneous administration. The important question will be whether producers will pay the extra cost for the innovative vaccine given that there does not appear to be an obvious clinical problem of ILT in rearing flocks or subsequently during egg production. Life-time protection may require administration of both the HVT vectored ILT vaccine at day old followed by a tissue culture origin vaccine during rearing.

So it sounds as if the existing vaccine (the one together with the fowlpox vaccine) is part of the problem, not the solution.

Personally, I am not interested in vaccinating against ILT, but I don't know everything there is to know about it. I know some people are pretty over the top about doing so, I am taking a longer view at this time.

[robin416]

That's exactly why they believe the outbreak started where it did, the vaccine they were using. He did tell me they were switching to innoculating the egg.

I asked him how it ended up spreading to outside flocks. He said that the odds are that those that worked in the building carried it out on their clothes or vehicles because it can't be spread through the air.

[cathryn]

IF POULTRY ALREADY HAVE IMMUNITY TO FOWL POX FROM PRIOR VACCINATION WITHIN A YEAR OR SO, OR HAD FOWL POX AND RECOVERED, I AGREE WITH YOU, THE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FP-ILT VACCINE WOULD NOT WORK. THAT IS WHAT THE ARTICLE IS STATING.
I COPIED PART OF A LONG ARTICLE ABOUT ILT AND HOW IT CAN BE SPREAD, THE CREDITS ARE AT THE END.
********************
The virus depends on a transporting agent to get around. The virus is not transmitted through the egg so chickens are not infected at the time of hatching.
* Introduction of infected birds – A major means of spread of the disease is by the introduction of affected birds, carrier birds or birds which are incubating the disease at the time of introduction. Carriers of the wild strains of ILT can shed virus at times of stress thus infecting susceptible in-contact birds.
* People and contaminated equipment – these can also introduce infection into any flock. Contaminated crates and feed trucks are known sources of infection. People in contact with infected birds and on the same day contacting susceptible flocks may transfer the disease if suitable precautions are not taken.
* Airborne spread – ILT airborne spread depends on the prevailing conditions. There is rapid airborne transmission among birds in close contact. The virus often requires mechanical transfer to cover even short distances such as from one building to another.
* However, it is recognized that birds in sheds close to roads may be infected by diseased birds being transported down the road. Under conditions of cloud cover, humidity or showers and gusting winds, it would appear that the ILT virus can easily cover 500 metres and possibly much further. Small feathers and shed dust are ideal transporting agents.[/b]
* Litter and manure – ILT virus may survive in the birds’ environment for periods of time, and transmission may occur when susceptible birds are placed in a recently contaminated but uncleaned environment.
The virus can survive for 10 days or more in droppings and up to 70 days in carcasses. The virus lasts longer in winter when it is cooler. It appears the virus may survive up to 80 days in tracheal mucus on non-conductive material such as wood. One percent lysol or three percent cresol will inactivate ILT virus in less than a minute.
http://www.avianweb.com/laryngotracheitis.html
Ref: Queensland Government - Poultry Diseases - Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT)
Relevant Resources: Poultry Youth Association (Scroll down for the information) ... DuPoint Animal Health Solutions ... Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) in Poultry (Alberta Government) ... Laryngotracheitis vaccines - Chickens (The Poultry Site) McMurray Hatchery - Sells Vaccines ... Texas Animal Health Commission (informational pdf document) ... Canadian Poultry ... Mississippi State Extension